Iran: Return of Golan Tehran priority
Iranian ambassador in Damascus says return of Golan to Syria is Iranian goal. Claims Iran undisturbed by relations between Syria and world
Iran has its sights on the Golan Heights too: Iranian ambassador to Damascus Hassan Akhtari states in an interview published Monday in the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper that returning the Golan Heights is not only a Syrian ambition but also an Iranian one.
Akhtari added that his country was not worried about contacts between Syria and European countries.
Though Tehran might not be admitting it openly, Iran is paying very close attention to the attempts of European countries to reach out to Damascus and see exactly where the wind is blowing regarding a possible Mideast peace bid. Several months ago it was reported that Britain, Germany, Poland and Spain were conducting talks with Syria, in the meantime the US was holding covert talks with them.
Should Syrian President Bashar Assad choose to respond positively to these attempts, it may put a dent in his relationship with Tehran.
But for now the Iranians say that their relations with Syria are better than ever, with Akhtari calling the relationship "excellent and strategic." The Iranian ambassador said however that the good relationship does not constitute an alliance, admitting to points of disparity when it comes to certain international and regional matters.
Akhtari was asked during the interview whether his country was worried about the possibility of Syria growing farther away following European involvement. The ambassador answered that it is Syria's right to improve its relationships with any country, including European ones.
'Work with international community'
We cannot say that we fear a connection between Europe and Sryia, on the contrary, we are happy at the improvement of this relationship. As opposed to what some seem to think – we are not concerned over a weakening of Iran's relationship with Syria because we know that it hasn't happened and will not happen.
The Syrians have set principles in making their decisions and we have complete confidence in the existing ties between us.
In the meantime Europe continues to exert pressure on Damascus to show more flexibility and cooperation, especially regarding the situation in Lebanon.
Al-Hayat also reports that Socialist International Chief George Papandreou called on Assad to cooperate towards establishing an international court in Lebanon because such a step will contribute greatly to improving Syria's relationship with the world.
In a phone call with Assad while visiting in Beirut, Papandreou urged the Syrian president to work along with the international community, particularly on the matter of Lebanese stability.
